Papercrafting Templates: Stocking Stuffer

Have any of you used templates for papercrafting? I've long been amazed at all the fun things I see in various forums using My Timeless Templates by Laura Meader. Several are for sale at Papertrey Ink, and two can be downloaded for free. I've been wanting to give them a try and recently used Stocking Stuffer to wrap up little treats to give at a recent moms night out with three of my girlfriends.

I am not much of a stamper so I used patterned paper. I wish I could say they were a breeze to put together, but to be honest they were a bit of a hassle to use. It took me awhile to figure things out the first time. Where to score and where to cut weren't labeled and the directions on how to assemble them weren't that clear. Plus the stocking heel and toes didn't seem to quite fit, tweaking had to be done to them. I am wondering if I just had a big learning curve or if anyone else has tried them and had these same issues.

It took longer than I anticipated to put them together so I didn't have time to embellish them the way I'd have liked. I whipped out the hot glue gut to add some trim, it was already out because I used hot glue to add the middle box or bag part between the two stockings. Based on this experience, I wasn't so sure if I'd be paying $5 for another template but...

Laura is in the process of opening a new store: My Time, My Creations. It's not quite up and running but there are a few things available already. I downloaded a free template there, Cutesy Cover and think that their templates may have been improved significantly. Step by step picture instructions are included now. I'm going to try that out soon.

Let me know if there are any papercrafting templates you like. I have always liked the free ones from Mirkwood. There are also several digital templates available, used by hybrid scrappers, I just wonder about their cost effectiveness. It seems you'd use a lot of ink and expensive photo paper when using them, unless you use them as tracers I guess. Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs seem to be the big right now. Plus she's nice too, we're friends on Tip Junkie's NING, so I think I'm most likely to try one hers next. Her blog show lots of fun ways to use them.

Did you notice who had to tag along? The clothespin photo holders and Oreo Bark continue to be a hit! Seriously making big batches of both have really helped me out this year.

Part of Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts, Making the World Cuter Monday Thru Friday, Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative, DIY Holiday Highlights at The DIY Showoff, Made it Monday at The Persimmon Perch, DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land and